Valletta, Birkirkara make it to second qualifying rounds

Updated - Valletta and Birkirkara have qualified for the second qualifying rounds of the Champions League and the Europa League respectively. Valletta qualified by virtue of the away goal when they lost 2-1 to B36 Torshavn - the aggregate being 2-2. The Citizens travelled to the Faroe Islands holding a slight edge over their Nordic opponents after winning last week’s opening leg at the Hibs Stadium 1-0. The Citizens settled down well early on with Jhonnattann hitting the bar after only eight minutes. But it was B36 who took the lead on 11 minutes when Hanus Thorleifsson hit home after being set up by Hogni Eysturoy. Valletta fought back and they managed to draw level on 24 minutes when Federico Falcone poked the ball home after being set up by Romeo Romau. B36 threw more men forward they twice came close to restoring their lead before the break but efforts by Thorleiffson and Jakub Borg were kept out by Henry Bonello, the Valletta goalkeeper. The match remained evenly-poised on the restart with Santiago Malano forcing Askham into a fine save on 63 minutes. But three minutes later B36 went 2-1 up when Hannes Agnarsson scored following a pass by Eysturoy. The woodwork denied...